CHAPTER 855: CHAPTER 855: USING HAN YAN AS A STEPPING STONE

Along the way, the thought kept flashing in the Fifth Prince’s mind, but he couldn’t come up with a suitable plan. He wanted to stir up some trouble, but if the matter was too trivial, it wouldn’t reflect his stature, and if it was too big, he might not be able to handle the situation. After all, he had been away for many years, and many people didn’t even recognize him as the Fifth Prince. Even if they did, they might not take him seriously. If it backfired, it would turn a good thing into a bad one, leaving no room for regret.

The matter of Qu Fengting caught his attention.

He knew what Qu Fengting’s previous status was. Although he was just the Young Master of a branch of the Zong Family, this branch was no ordinary one. It was the number one family in Nanxi County. Qu Fengting’s status, though not comparable to the Young Masters of the Eight Great Families of the Capital, was still much better than ordinary Zong Family’s disciples and even stronger than those of most wealthy families.

Anyone who could have a grudge with him and remain unscathed must have some significant background. But since the other party couldn’t do anything to Qu Fengting either, they couldn’t be too formidable.

Such a person would be perfect for making an example and establishing authority, right?

Moreover, Qu Fengting was his confidant. Helping him could also serve to win people’s hearts, showing those indecisive fellows his magnanimity and compelling them to devote themselves to his cause.

It’s often said that getting close to good people makes you good, and getting close to bad ones makes you bad. The Fifth Prince and Qu Fengting hit it off immediately, which indicated neither of them were too virtuous. With a shift in thought, he had so many ideas in his mind.

"I never expected that upon returning to the Capital, I would encounter my cousin’s enemy. Indeed, foes do cross each other’s paths," the Fifth Prince decided quickly and said with a cold smile.

"Your Highness, what do you mean by ’foes crossing paths’?" A dandy from a noble family asked curiously.

His name was Song Zhe, a descendant of the Song Family, one of the Eight Great Families of the Capital. His grandfather was the Song Family Patriarch, but he was not the eldest grandson, just a Jisun, a fairly well-known playboy in the Capital.

In fact, the young people behind him, though from wealthy families and holding some positions in their households, were mostly not the eldest sons or grandsons.

This was precisely why they had been drawn to the Fifth Prince. After all, their backgrounds were similar, and their ambitions were surprisingly aligned.

"The people in that elegant room have some issues with my cousin," the Fifth Prince said, pointing at the Sky Number Elegant Seat.

"How dare they offend Brother Fengting? Let’s go break their bones at once!" A young man behind them stretched his head forward, speaking arrogantly.

They knew Qu Fengting was a trusted aide of the Fifth Prince, so they naturally didn’t want to miss the chance to curry favor with him. Pleasing him would also please the Fifth Prince. Though the Fifth Prince might not succeed in vying for the throne, even if he didn’t, winning the favor of a future prince wasn’t a bad move.

But seeing the direction the Fifth Prince pointed, that person retracted his hand.

The others also kept their mouths shut, not saying a word.

Noticing their apprehension, the Fifth Prince furrowed his brows slightly.

"Your Highness, you’ve just returned, so you might not be too familiar with the Capital’s affairs. This Yingfeng Building is the finest tavern in the Capital, frequented by the wealthy and the respectable. That elegant room is the Sky Number Elegant Seat of Yingfeng Building. Not to mention anything else, just that seat alone costs tens of thousands of taels of patterned silver. A single meal there might cost hundreds of thousands or even millions. It’s not unusual," Song Zhe explained.

He didn’t continue with the rest of his speech, but the Fifth Prince understood his meaning.

The Sky Number Elegant Seat in Yingfeng Building was not only a symbol of wealth but also a symbol of status. The people sitting inside were not simple folks, not ones that could be easily provoked.

After finally finding an opportunity, could he just give it up like this? The Fifth Prince hesitated.

Beside him, Qu Fengting was also uncertain. As a former Young Master of the Nanxi Qu Family, he naturally knew what the Sky Number Elegant Seat in Yingfeng Building symbolized. But wasn’t Han Yan just the son of the City Lord of Heishi City? How could he have such prestige?

He had just returned to the Capital as well, so he didn’t know that Han Yan was not the same Han Yan as before.

Of course, Han Yan herself wasn’t aware of these matters. If she knew, she might not want such a high profile. But by coincidence, the Sky Number Elegant Seat, a symbol of wealth and status, happened to be available today. The servant bore some resentment toward Jiang Yuzhe and seized the chance to lead them directly to the Sky Number Elegant Seat.

The Fifth Prince was indecisive, feeling a bit irritated inside.

"Sir, do you know the guests at the Sky Number Elegant Seat?" At this moment, a servant approached, slyly asking.

"Insolent! How dare you address him as ’sir’? This is His Highness, the Fifth Prince!" Song Zhe stepped forward, slapping the servant’s face.

"Stop, this is outside the palace, no need to mention my identity. Let’s say I’m traveling in disguise," the Fifth Prince stopped Song Zhe, saying kindly.

He was still vying for the throne. For now, establishing a firm ground was paramount. He couldn’t afford to tarnish his reputation; he had to cultivate an image of benevolence. How could he oppress civilians? Water can buoy a boat, but it can also sink it — he understood this principle.

"F-Fifth Prince, Your Highness." The servant was both terrified and delighted, immediately kneeling to bow.

He had been waiting outside the door, his gaze fixed on that Sky Number Elegant Seat, ready to promptly present the bill once those bumpkins finished their meal.

Imagining the scene where those bumpkins would be dumbfounded by the bill, beaten up, beg for mercy, and finally have someone from their family come to pay and take them away, while the tavern’s wolfish guards tossed them out the door like dead dogs, made him smile from ear to ear.

He wasn’t worried that their families couldn’t bear the expense, implicating him. Having worked at Yingfeng Building for years, his eyes were discerning. He knew that those bumpkins daring to act so arrogantly in the Capital must also be wealthy. As long as their family got involved, they could still produce hundreds of thousands or even millions of taels.

But after paying, their families would surely feel the pinch. They would be beaten at Yingfeng Building, and likely get another thrashing at home.

The more the servant thought about it, the happier he felt. He never expected another group of noble young masters to enter before he could make his move.

His ears were sharp, and he was quick-witted. Listening to their words, he knew they intended to cause trouble for that group.

The servant was practically ecstatic. Except for the two leading men, he recognized most of the group; they were all playboy young masters from noble families in the Capital. Who would have thought the bumpkins in the Sky Number Elegant Seat had enmity with them?

This worked out perfectly. Even before he made a pass, those bumpkins would be in big trouble. All the better, let this group of dandies deal with them first, and then he’d give them a double dose of misfortune!

(There will be more updates today. Mwah, everyone, asking for monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, and five-star reviews~~ Striving like a salted fish during the day to churn out more Chapters, give me some encouragement to turn from a salted fish into a shark! Haha!)